HIBAPRESS – Mohamed Manfalouti
On the fifth of October each year, the world stands to acknowledge the pioneering role of educators, both men and women, who have shouldered the trust of nurturing the young and instilling in them noble values and morals…
Let us all stand and turn back the hands of time to touch, even if only a little, the breezes of the golden age…
The era of group games in alleys, paths, and villages, games that fostered a love for cooperation, solidarity, and brotherhood in an individual. You would see a young child sharing a "piece of dry bread" with a friend, and on the other side, others hurrying to help an elderly man or woman. In moments, everyone would disappear, only because they spotted their teacher approaching them. Out of fear, respect, and admiration. It was the golden age that produced young men and women who today form the backbone of the nation.
In today's era, the scales have been unbalanced. The pursuit of material wealth and quick profit has dominated, especially among those seeking additional hourly income. The stock market of values has plummeted. Everyone works for themselves and strives for their own gain, not for others. Group games among children have disappeared, replaced by individual games that instill self-love and selfishness. Children and adults alike have become immersed in the sea of internet searches and mobile phones. Gatherings have become meaningless, soulless, and devoid of beneficial discussion. Everyone bows their head towards their phone screen, which has become a tool for documenting scenes, punches, and intimate moments within educational institutions, amidst a blatant moral decay. Everyone is now chasing after each other's flaws to catch them by obtaining incriminating evidence. Even the teacher inside the classroom, while conversing with their students, now moves with unease, their eyes scanning every little detail lest they fall into a "photography trap" and become hostage to blackmail and defamation… Thus, values are lost.
As we live in today's era, let us all stand in respect and appreciation for all educators, men and women, on the occasion of World Teachers' Day, for its deep connotations of recognizing their status and valuing their roles in building humanity and shaping the future.
It is an occasion to extend a greeting of appreciation and respect for their continuous efforts and the responsibilities they bear in serving public education and the nation's generations.
This year's slogan is that the teacher is at the heart of educational transformation. This is a strong indication of a deep-rooted reality: no transformation in education can be complete without the teacher, as they are the educational actor closest to the learner and most capable of translating choices and reforms into daily practices within the classroom.
The role of the teacher is not limited to imparting knowledge; rather, they undertake a broader mission of developing the learner's personality, building their capabilities, instilling values of citizenship, responsibility, openness, and creativity, and actively contributing to establishing an inclusive, equitable, and quality education system.
Finally, we wish all of you, educators and trainers, men and women, a happy new year filled with giving, success, and well-being, under the wise leadership of the first educator, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God support him.
